Why they were important to music

When you ask people who were the main pioneers of music, answers such as Elvis, Michael Jackson or even the Beach Boys might be the response you get. Depending on the type of music you are referring to, like for country music perhaps Dolly Parton, soft metal perhaps Bon Jovi, and so on. Tastes vary but these are well known names within their respective fields. But what about Bill Haley & His Comets?

It is a little known fact that it was actually Bill Haley & His Comets that brought Rock ‘n’ Roll to the mainstream music scene. With his Rockabilly hits like ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’, they caught the attention of the younger generation who responded well to the sound. Catching on to what their target audience seemed to like, the band went from strength to strength hitting the top spot on the charts with ‘Rock around the Clock’ firmly cementing their place within the Rock ‘n’ Roll genre.

Bill Haley & His Comets gave us a sound that seems to never get old. Although the Europeans embraced them for longer than the US, their songs are as well known even now as they were back in the ’50s. They are played at parties, regularly on the radio and they always get people up on their feet dancing. With simple lyrics they are also great to sing along to.

Music from the 1950s also has an innocent quality to it, especially when compared to today’s more provocative songs and sometimes explicit music videos. Although at the time some people may have thought that the Rock ‘n’ Roll style was inappropriate (just remember the backlash from Elvis’s early performances), Bill Haley & His Comets’ music and style seemed to meet with everyone’s approval.

So, the next time you hear a Bill Haley & His comet’s song, just remember that you are listening to a Rock ‘n’ Roll music pioneer.